In addition, the math curriculum is flexible enough that students can take classes in other interest areas or pursue double major or a minor without too much difficulty. On the other hand, most students have a strong preference for the type of courses offered in just one of these majors. Thanks for the recommendation though! Have you looked at high finance/IB/consulting? The benefit that a stem major brings to job recruiting is a universal curriculum. … If you're sure you'll be an actuary then I'd focus on keeping your GPA high … You will learn to solve difficult algorithms and code software programs. Here's a story for all the math majors and future math majors reading this: I graduated with a bachelor's degree in math 6 years ago. Average starting salaries for finance majors exceed $50,000 at the bachelor's level and $70,000 at the master's level.According to PayScale, annual salaries for finance majors with just a bachelor's degree … Bleh. Thank you for the advice dude, and good luck with graduating! That's how you'll be passing classes when you get a job anyway. She was hired soon after she graduated to work as a policy analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. I don't think that's necessarily true. Folks liked that because it showed diversity of thought. I will look into CS! The skills and talents of accounting majors are easily applied to the fields of investment banking, security assessment, risk management, corporate finance, and of course, banking, among many others.If a student were certain of a dual interest in an accounting-related field (early on in their college career), it would be prudent to consider vying for dual major accounting degrees when graduating. On the whole though I think it is a worthwhile endeavor to do advanced math in some capacity. Mathematics is a very abstract field in many ways, and jumping into a math major is like embarking on a journey through very challenging terrain in an abstract universe. If both majors are in the same college, the student must complete all department/curricular requirements for each major. Anything but biochemistry... Man that shit sucked b-hole. Most actuarial teams are already strong in actuarial so try bring something else. This is my opinion but I hate ActSci degrees. Being more marketable for industry? I don't want to be managing a power plant or something. For example, if you were double majoring in business and economics, you'd most likely earn a single bachelor of science (BS) degree for your two specializations. The most interesting and fun programming jobs require math. Just as an example of how Math and CS together help, in one of my formal methods classes a few days ago there was one theorem shown which essentially reduced down to an epsilon infimum/supremum proof. I agree with this. I understand my employment opportunities with a pure math degree will be extremely limited, this is why I would like to double major. (That was literally my first question too). Very. If you plan on going into industry, it'll help immensely. ), and maybe even a little SQL and vba, as that will help save you a lot of time when it comes to the duties in FP&A. Aside from what others have said about helping you think about things differently, the math degree will make your course work easier and you'll therefore have more time to get into research. But regardless of what you go for, I'm not sure a double major is worth spending an extra year in school for, even if that would also mean passing an extra exam before you graduate. That said, there are always exceptions. Shooting for MFE in next year (sophomore year), C the following year (junior year), and from there either MLC or go to the CAS route. It trains you to think very methodically and logically (particularly in proof based courses) which are necessary to be a good programmer. Listed in no particular order, here are the top 10 double major combinations students at ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business feel will help with their careers. I don't get why you'd want / need an Act Sci major. A philo major probably has to work harder, write more persuasive cover letters, interview better, etc. It’s clear by the descriptions above that not everyone is meant to major in Finance. (We will accept Physics 89 in lieu of Math 54 for students with a double major in Physics, provided that the grade is at least a C. We will accept EECS 16A plus EECS 16B in lieu of Math 54 for students with a double major in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, provided that both grades are at least a C. That said, if you like computer science as well as math, you sort of might as well. Individuals with skills in all these areas are hard to come by! If it's going to run you up an extra $50,000, then get out ASAP with a job in hand. Major: Accounting/finance (or, if your university doesn’t have these specific majors, something that has coursework in these areas). So it can only help knowing some math so that the ideas at least make sense at some level. I'm not trying to pick on you, but I don't know why people major in act science. Emily Kaar ’17, a double major in mathematical analytics and operations research, and economics, can testify to how math studies can connect you to a great job. Some people are just naturally gifted at programming and the thought processes come quite naturally for them, even without extensive training. I want to work on exciting projects though. But going for actuarial science instead let me take insurance seminars (extremely useful in hindsight) and a bunch of programming courses (SQL, VBA, R, and Java) that I wouldn't have been able to fit into my schedule otherwise. I love the perspective my Math B.Sc. Mathematics is the study of shape, quantity, pattern and structure. That said CS would have made it easier for you to pick up R. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. having a different degree (not unrelated entirely, but different, say, finance, or mathematics, or statistics, or comp sci) and having exams passed shows more potential. If you want a job in finance and don't go to a T10 school you better major in finance or maybe math. Law? A CS degree can open up a lot of opportunities outside insurance, but actuaries usually pick up the programming skills on the side. Students with permission from the director of undergraduate studies may change from one concentration to the other, but certain rules apply. It is important to find a major that fits you. A double major, or dual major, is the act of pursuing two majors, with both typically falling under the same degree. IMO, you're already way ahead of the game. Credits required. CS is applied math, any good CS program will prepare you for picking up arbitrary amounts of math. Most math classes for math majors are 40 students or less, and many upper-level classes have fewer than 25 students. Cookies help us deliver our Services. In economics you rarely need maths (other than adding, substraction, percentages etc.. basic). That being said, just a math degree will enable you to do more than just a CS degree. I want to work on exciting projects though. You can still pick what you want out of anything right now tbh. However, the general definition of double major is simply two college majors within one college degree. The people that fill those jobs are either CS students that are great at math (either by their own accord or through a double major/ math minor) or EE/CpE students that focused on software. Double Major with Mathematics There is considerable overlap between the AMS and MAT majors, for example, all the lower-division courses required for the AMS major are also required for the MAT major. For example, looking at all individuals between ages 20 and 29, only 12.5 percent of the population had a double major in 2015, which is down from 14.2 percent in 2009, according to my calcul… Getting a broader perspective? The economics major offers two concentrations, policy and theory, as described below. I am a college freshman and I passed exam P in September, and sitting for FM in February. I am planning on comfortably finishing in 5 years, taking some summer classes (though not required). Super easy to digest even though presented in a clunky fashion. I did my doctorate in Aero E, and I'm transitioning from being in a national lab to either an algo trading or a machine learning type of position (depending on which offer I like better). Mathematics is applicable to nearly every industry today, from science and technology to business, retail, healthcare, and more. If you want to do high quality graduate level work and research, math is essential. I know it's only anecdotal, but I know of a hiring manager that prefers to hire ELs with non-actsci degrees. CS majors that aren't very good/learned in math will still find jobs, but they are typically very boring jobs. Any of my recommendations aren't going to be easy to double-major with - mathematics, statistics, computer science, etc. This is a popular and lucrative business major for both undergraduate and graduate students. As a basic example of stuff not just anyone can do is isn't really maths related and is hard/interesting is optimising some piece of infrastructure mercilessly for your server architecture. While double majors have been a popular way to balancea deep study of the humanities with traditional degrees in the sciences, basic tabulations suggest that the percent of workers with a double major has been roughly constant, or even decreasing, over the past six years depending on how one restricts the sample. A bachelor's degree with a double major in psychology and criminology can be an excellent academic foundation for a number of careers in social services and mental health treatment. I did a Bsc - Math & BA - philosophy. There are some exceptions but those are more or less related to attempts to forecast future based on previously recorded key performance figures. I graduated with honors and a good GPA from a good college. Double major should be looked at under the lens of ROI, and your personal preferences. Thanks for the advice! I am stuck at a dead end programming job where I earn less than $40,000 per year even though I live close to a major US city and have over 5 years of work … I have a BS CS and a BA Math, and I'm currently going for my MS CS. Why not take that 3rd exam earlier, graduate in 3 years instead of 4 and enter the work force sooner? Within the applied CS world, there are plenty of optimizations (with respect to runtime) you can make via math that pure CS people might not see. than her counterpart in accounting, engineering, or nursing to get that sought after job. See originally I was content with three years, but the more I live on campus, the more I want to stay for the full four. If I wanted to stay for four years at school, I could take the classes for an additional exam, but I would have to pick up a double major in order for it to be worth the money. Although, I kind of am in the camp of doing four years, but that depends on the cost savings too. Mathematics is a very abstract field in many ways, and jumping into a math major is like embarking on a journey through very challenging terrain in an abstract universe. Double degree APPM-CVEN: The Applied Mathematics and Civil Engineering departments offer a streamlined dual-degree track for talented students who are interested in analytical and computational methods related to civil engineering and general engineering science. Jobs for math majors right out of college can be found in insurance, finance… Before I dive into the reasons to double major, let me briefly touch upon the 2 majors I think every college student should pursue. You should focus on being the best liberal arts major you can be. This is a very silly notion, that for anyone the most interesting things that one can do as a programmer are maths related. I'm not sure how you're supposed to understand Black-Scholes, let alone more complicated valuation models, with so little background in math. Many engineering majors struggle just to finish a single major in 4 years, let alone a double major. Let someone else worry about that. The people that fill those jobs are either CS students that are great at math (either by their own accord or through a double major/ math minor) or EE/CpE students that focused on software. There's some pretty fascinating work to be done that you can learn the relevant math for as you go. It's never new or exciting. I currently have been hired at a P/C company for an internship, so if I like it I may go CAS. The actuarial science major provides the most value only in an insurance context, but other majors like math, CS, or stats can be used elsewhere. Is it worth it to double major in math and computer science? You can fit a double major into four years, and if you enjoy both anyway, then you'd want to take the classes even if you didn't "have" to. I'm 99.9% sure I want to be an actuary, but I figured having the extra major would distinguish me from others when applying for jobs. Then there can also be fun in just building something that fulfills someone's needs by, for instance, using a novel interface or data presentation method. Majoring in math in college is not like high school; the classes are a lot more in-depth, especially after your first year is over. Maybe consider a minor, or switch out of Actuarial Science-Finance. First, I feel like a finance degree in particular would leave you in pretty rough shape when it comes to understanding what's going on under the hood of a lot of actuarial models. People have been telling me that math and computer science are similar, and that math prepares you for CS. Fair point! Press J to jump to the feed. I feel far more creative and less like a labourer. Not an expert but what makes you say a math degree will give more opportunities? Majoring in math in college is not like high school; the classes are a lot more in-depth, especially after your first year is over. It depends on your goals. The people that fill those jobs are either CS students that are great at math (either by their own accord or through a double major/ math minor) or EE/CpE students that focused on software. It serves as a tool for our scientific understanding of the world. As a math major, you've decided to pursue mathematics as your academic focus, and before you graduate, it's important to know which career path you want to pursue. I majored in math and minored in CS (and Physics), but work primarily in CS. While accounting majors learn about the intricacies of financial transactions and record-keeping, finance majors study financial management-related topics and how they relate to the global economy. Like seriously? Understanding the math? If you're on a significant scholarship and the extra year gives you the chance to take more courses in programming, finance, pure math, or stats courses, or any other interesting field, then by all means go for it. Plus, a lot of programming involves mathematical models for various phenomena (fluid flow, traffic flow, atomic structure, protein folding, networks, etc.). Would also like to say, as a PhD in computer science and a professor - I really really wish I had double majored in math. Mathematics is applicable to nearly every industry today, from science and technology to business, retail, healthcare, and more. As an aside, I had multiple offers for analytical positions in unrelated fields before I accepted my current position, and I know others who've had little trouble getting "Business Analyst"-type positions with actuarial science degrees. There are more things in the world that are interesting than just maths and different people will like different things. The problem with this question is that "beneficial" is a very imprecise word. Doing both will open up a lot of doors for you. Hi r/actuary! And while I personally exempted all the "required" exam prep courses for my major, I'm really not sure why so many people look down on them, considering that virtually all of the practicing actuaries I know use seminars and/or online courses for exam prep. Also web development is typically pretty tedious, though there are exceptions. I don't want to be managing a power plant or something. Major 1 : A major that you are passionate about. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. In this vein, CS + Math > CS alone if you want to go to grad school for CS. Any other fields? (if you like computer) Maybe mix it up with accounting so you can get that CFO role. CS majors that aren't very good/learned in math will still find jobs, but they are typically very boring jobs. You can impress a lot more people with the exams passed AND another major, like maybe pure finance. Many people don’t realize how many different roles and job opportunities exist within the finance sector. Finance & actuarial are quite similar. if you go for a Comp Sci degree or Finance degree, that widens your job search. If you major in cs and minor in math you're still golden. it limits your future a little more. How much extra time, money and effort is needed, How badly do you want the additional material. Edit: also aero engs, and physics folk with solid programming chops. Finance . Finance is a business major that focuses on economics and the management of money. Students of finance develop a number of accountancy skills as they learn to analyze business problems with precision and attention to detail, which prepares them for the world of accounting. As far as going the other way around (i.e., focusing on math with CS as a "tangential" thing), if you're planning on doing grad school in math, it might not be too beneficial. I am in the process of teaching myself R. CS wouldn't have taught you R anyways. In this article, we look at the various factors normally used to determine whether a major is hard before going over the 13 most difficult majors based on how many hours students typically spend each week preparing for classes. Medicine? Double majors require a minimum of 180 credits, which is the minimum number of credits required for a degree at the UW.It may, however, take you more than 180 credits to complete all of the requirements for the two majors, depending on the requirements themselves and how efficient you are in taking them. Goldman Sachs hires english majors because they went to Ivy League schools, not because investment banking is stupid (not saying it is hard mentally). You passed exam P (congrats) your 1st semester and plan on sitting for FM your 2nd semester. A student pursuing a double major must complete all university and college requirements. You should also consider taking at least 1-2 writing or communication-intensive classes because plenty of students are good with numbers, but many of them cannot communicate with other humans. Pursuing an economics major might at first glance seem to provide an education that’s interchangeable with a business major education. A2A. It's tough to double-major in engineering because engineering requires so many classes. If you stayed for a 4th year you would be taking your 3rd exam 2-3 years after your 2nd? Students should review the Department of Economics website for more information about the major and meet with an adviser in th… It takes a unique variety of skills and characteristics to excel in this career. It's a chance to invent who you're going to be for the rest of your life. most math majors i knew at my undergrad school (a top 50 non-target) graduated sub 3.0 and ended up pursuing careers as math teachers because they didn't have any other options. Double majors are normally awarded within the same school or department. On my current track, I'm planning on graduating in 3 years. Major 1 : A major that you are passionate about. Finance majors need skills in math, analyzing data, formulating strategies, and communicating well. Maybe consider a minor, or switch out of Actuarial Science-Finance. To add to this, part of the reason a lot of mathematicians make good programmers is the way math makes you think. My current job prospects are horrible. Developing approaches to applied math fields/problems? Ill look into the school's CS program to see if it is worth it. What are the hardest college majors? When students study both disciplines, they can use their degree to pursue a career as a brokerage clerk. In which case the answer is: yes! ITT millennials arguing over whose major is better. If you hate math, and don't think you'd be good at it, I wouldn't worry about being a math major. While your interest in math may have started as a hobby, it's possible to make your love of mathematics into a lucrative career with the right amount of skill and effort. Well I'm already in the Act/Sci major, because I was told it was the easiest way to start developing connections with the industry (my college is one of the CAE). Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Knowledge of mathematics opens gateways to many different professions such as economics, finance, computing, engineering, and the natural sciences. There are some exceptions but those are more or less related to attempts to forecast future based on previously recorded key performance figures. On the math side, finance majors typically go up to what, first-semester calc? An economics and finance double major is possibly the best degree combination in the commercial field. Double Major Information Undergraduate Double Majors. Comp Sci isnt a bad idea too. Accounting and Computer Science is a challenging major that requires well-developed math skills. Entry-Level Jobs for Math Majors With a Bachelor's. An increasing number of college students are taking on a second major in the hopes of improving their success in the workforce. Minor: Computer science, math, or statistics. I was just a math major, and looking back, I wish I would have taken more CS classes. I recently decided to do a CS and Finance double major and drop the Mathematics and Economics. The mental patience and intellectual discipline that come from studying math can lead to rewarding opportunities in a wide range of fields. A math degree is a lot more comparable, and I considered that option myself. Neither of which are necessarily technically challenging, but lean to requiring a more social/psychological take on things. Math students enjoy a great deal of personal attention. Computer science IMO. In either case, no course may be taken for which the student does not have the appropriate prerequisites; this includes mathematics prerequisites. You get so much more by majoring in the other aforementioned 3. that being said, a math-finance double major is very impressive if you can keep your GPA up and will provide you with more opportunities than finance only, especially in fields that require more quant horsepower. In 5 years, taking some summer classes ( though not required ) maths ( other than,. Is that `` beneficial '' is a challenging major that you are passionate about an that... Of the world business, retail, healthcare, and the natural sciences school you better in! To requiring a more social/psychological take on things without extensive training major simply! 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Say a math major, and more math for as you go for a 4th year you would n't be. Not have the appropriate prerequisites ; this includes mathematics prerequisites are necessarily technically challenging, graduate! To hire ELs with non-actsci degrees years after your 2nd semester so you can impress a lot of for... Freshman you are passionate about semester and plan on going into industry, it 'll immensely... Considered that option myself into finance and math double major reddit school 's CS program will prepare you for type!